Training in Clinical
Neuropsychology – an
Australian Experience
Dr. Ruth Breen
Clinical Neuropsychologist, Ninewells
Hospital and The Centre for Brain Injury
Rehabilitation, Royal Victoria Hospital,
Dundee
Outline

Studying in Melbourne

Clinical Neuropsychology training in
Australia
– Doctorate in Clinical Neuropsychology

Psychology networks and employment in
Australia

Differences between Australian and UK
Training
Melbourne, Australia
University of Melbourne
Universities in Melbourne

University of Melbourne

Monash University

La Trobe University

Victoria University

RMIT (Royal Melbourne University of
Technology)
Doctorate in Clinical Neuropsychology,
University of Melbourne, Australia

Parallel courses:
–
–
–
–
Clinical Psychology
Child Clinical Psychology
Forensic Psychology
Health Psychology

Course No: 6

Course length: 3+ years
Doctorate in Clinical Neuropsychology, University
of Melbourne, Australia, continued…….

Practical: placements – Neuropsychological within different
settings
Year 1: observational
Year 2: 4 three-month placements
Year 3: two six-month placements

Typical Example:



– Yr 1: Observe clinician in Royal Melbourne, General Adult
Neuropsychology
– Yr 2: 3 months in Acute Neurology (Adult); 3 months Royal
Children's Hospital; 3 months CDAMS (Cognitive, Dementia
and Memory Service); 3 months Specialist Epilepsy Service
(Neurosurgery)
– Yr 3: 6 months TBI Rehabilitation Centre; 6 months
Neuropsychiatry
Doctorate in Clinical Neuropsychology, University
of Melbourne, Australia, continued…….

Theory:
– Lectures/exams
– Coursework

Examples of Modules:
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Adult Neuropsychological disorders
Child Neuropsychological disorders
Structure and Function of the Brain
Psychological Assessment and Formulation
Psychological Interventions
Neuroanatomy seminars
Neuropsychological Rehabilitation
Thesis
 Topics
of Interest
 “Neuropsychological
and Psychosocial
Outcome Profiles following
Endovascular Coiling for Intracranial
Aneurysms”
Return to the UK
 Statement
of Equivalence:
– Set number of days in different
specialties
– Therapeutic focus
– Essays
 BPS/HPC
Chartered Accreditation
Training Focus/Ethos
 Embedded
 Use
in Neurology
of Neuroimaging
 Hypothesis-testing
 Differential
Diagnoses
Australian Psychological Society
(APS)



The APS is the largest professional association for
psychologists in Australia, representing over
20,000 members.
APS members form a dynamic group that
advocate for psychologists at all levels of
government.
Promote the contributions Psychology makes to
people's health and wellbeing, and to
understanding important social issues facing
Australian society.
Medicare




Australia's publicly funded universal healthcare
system, operated by the government authority
Medicare Australia.
Reciprocal agreement with Other countries
worldwide (except for students!)
April 2006: Private Psychology to be publicly
funded through Medicare. Currently not including
Neuropsychology.
APS: Clinicians apply to be assessed in order to
practice under Medicare
CCN – College of Clinical
Neuropsychologists


Mechanism for Neuropsychologists all over
Australia to stay linked with colleagues who share
similar clinical and research interests.
Brings together neuropsychologists in local areas
interested in a wide variety of neuropsychological
topics.

250 members (not latest figures)

State-wide
Melbourne Hospitals





Departments within Hospitals
Approx 20 hospitals with active Clinical
Neuropsychology departments, not counting rural
centres
Between two and six fulltime/part-time Clinical
Neuropsychologists working within each dept, plus
trainees (Graduate Neuropsychologists)
Typical Rehab Team make-up:
– Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Speech
and Language Therapist, Nursing staff, Clinical
Psychologist, Clinical Neuropsychologist
Types of Brain Injury
Austin Health




The Department of Clinical Neuropsychology at Austin Health
provides inpatient and outpatient services to neurosciences,
psychiatry, aged care services, and all medical and surgical units.
The department caters for adults, with a restricted service
available to children (epilepsy only).
The department provides patient care, incorporating diagnostic
assessment services, involvement in rehabilitation programs, and
contributes to treatment/discharge planning procedures.
In addition to the clinical program, the department offers student
placement programs to those undertaking university postgraduate training courses in clinical neuropsychology. The
department also has a heavy involvement in both independent
and collaborative research projects.
The department is the historical ‘home’ of the profession of clinical
neuropsychology in Australia, having been established by Dr.
Kevin Walsh (AO BA MBBS MSc FBPsS) in the 1970’s under the
aegis of The University of Melbourne.
Differences with UK Training
 Point
of specialisation
 Differentiation
of specialties
– Application in clinical practice
 Neurology-focus
Psychiatry
rather than
Thank You for Listening